Plans are well underway for WizardFest, York’s first festival of wizardry coming to the city during May half term (May 23rd to 25th 2026).
Conjured up by The Wizard Walk of York, this enchanting event is co-hosted with Little Vikings, for the most magical match! As a fun, family-friendly event that champions York’s magical side and independent businesses, it’s right up our (cobbled) street, so we’re delighted to be part of it.
WizardFest events
The Wizard Walk of York (Book in advance)
Winner Experience of the Year 2026, and Little Vikings Best Tour four years running! Spellbinding magic, comedy and five-star family fun on a wizard experience like no other. “Funny, magical and engaging. The very BEST experience for every member of the family!” – Nicola B
- – DAILY 11, 1.30, 4pm and 6pm
- – St. Crux at the bottom of York’s Shambles
BOOK AT www.wizardwalkofyork.com (pre-booking essential)
The Black Cat Quest (Free!)
NEW locations for 2026! Collect a FREE map, and find the cats in shop windows to spell a magic word. Ages 5-12 can then claim a super-mini magic cat of their own by returning the answer sheet PLUS, guess the number of cats in the jar to WIN a Wizard Walk family ticket and a MEOW-vellous Cat Gallery prize!
York Cat Gallery, 45 Low Petergate, YO7 7HT
The Owl Trail (Free!)
A Make it York event. Collect a FREE map from the Visit York Information Centre on Parliament Street, then find the owls hidden around Shambles Market. It’s a HOOT! Prizes include a Wizard Walk family ticket and goody bags from The Shop That Must Not Be Named. You can also pose with magical props around the Market, and even have your face painted 10-3pm (a paid activity).
Shambles Market, YO1 7LX
Whimsical Workshops
Brick Magic by The Brick Box (Book in advance)
A must for LEGO fans! Journey into imagination and creativity, with tens of thousands of LEGO pieces. Bring your cloaks as you enrol for wand making, marble mazes and lots of treats to take home
- – DAILY 9.30, 11.30, 3.30 and 1.30pm
York Medical Society, Stonegate, YO1 8AW
Enchanting Events
Wicked screening at City Screen Picturehouse (Book in advance)
Sunday only. Enjoy the untold story of the witches of Oz, in the hit film starring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Eviro and Jeff Goldblum. Pre-booking essential.
- – SUN 6pm
York City Screen, 13-17 Coney Street, York, YO1 9QL
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring (Book in advance)
Cursed by archnemesis Mortius Darktrix, the Professor is trapped inside his Tubular Trickery Chamber falling endlessly through time and space…Enjoy mind-boggling illusions, find familiar wizard famous faces and use letters from their names to lift the curse. Then head to the gift shop and collect your sweet reward!
- DAILY, open 10-6pm (last admission 5pm)
- 14 Merchants Place, Merchantgate, YO1 9TU
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring, Merchantgate, York YO1 9TU
Fancy Dress Parade and Best Dressed Competition (Free!)
Monday only. Don your best costumes and celebrate WizardFest in style. It’s FREE to participate, so dress to impress! It’s your chance to win amazing prizes including a £70 Steiff Dragon from Stonegate Teddy Bear, Dragon Hatchlings from The Society of Alchemists and Goody Bags from The Shop That Must Not Be Named
- – MON 3pm for a 3.15pm start
St. Helen’s Square, YO1 8QN
Meet a dragon! (Free!)
Meet The Wizard of York’s ROARsome pet dragon, with dragonkeeper Zoya. Get a photo with this truly Fantastic Beast…don’t worry, he doesn’t bite!
- – DAILY 10.45-11.30am, 12.30-1.15pm and 2-2.45pm
Outside St. Sampson’s Church, Church Street, YO1 8BG
Try the Dragon Sundae at Loopy Scoops opposite! Zoya and Ignis will also be appearing at the Magical Night Market, Monday 7.30-10pm in Shambles Market.
Magical Night Market
Monday only. Wand-er off York’s Shambles into The Shambles Market, transformed by Make it York into a Magical Night Market. Peruse a magical myriad of stalls from more than 30 traders. NEW FOR 2026 meet wonderful, whimsical characters too: Phoenix the Red, Zoya and Ignis the Dragon, and Professor Grimbleweed
- – MON 7.30-10pm
Shambles Market, 5 Silver Street, YO1 8RR
Wizard Family Rave, Thor’s Tipi
Sunday only. Get your groove on and throw some shapes, with a magical family disco packed with FUN! Spellbinding songs, disco lights, bubbles, and snow machine sorcery. Plus party games, pom poms, props and plenty of Hocus Pocus. Let’s get this party started!
- SUN 10-12, £3.50pp (ticket allows you to drop in and out as much as you wish)
- Thor’s Tipi, Parliament St, York
BOOK at https://thorstipifamilyrave.eventbrite.co.uk (pre-booking essential)
Wizard Activity Zone
NEW FOR 2O26! Enjoy spellbinding activities on York’s Parliament Street, YO1 8RS (close to the Visit York Information Centre)
MEET PROFESSOR GRIMBLEWEED
Meet barmy botanist and purveyor of peculiar plants, Professor Grimbleweed. Snap a selfie with his pet Venus Flytrap and learn about the magical art of Herbology.
- – DAILY 10-4PM
- – Plant appearances: 10-10.45pm, 11.45-12.30, 1.30-2.15pm and 3.15-4pm*
*No 3.15pm session Monday, as joining the Fancy Dress Parade. Also appearing at the Magical Night Market, Monday 7.30-9.30 in Shambles Market. Blooming brilliant!
Parliament Street, by Visit York
PARTY OCTOPUS 360 EXPERIENCE
The ultimate WizardFest souvenir. Grab your wizard props, strike a pose and capture the magic! Each family can download their 360 spellcaster digital video and a wand-erful portrait photo too.
- – DAILY 10-4PM
- – Charge applies. Show your Wizard Walk booking (dated May 23-25th) for 25% OFF
Parliament Street, by Visit York
WAND MAKING
Guided by the talented team from The Woodland Adventure Company, craft your very own magical wand using the finest materials – from shimmering gold and phoenix feathers to sparkling gemstones.
- – DAILY 10-4PM
- – Charge applies
Parliament Street, by Visit York
FACE PAINTING WITH FACE PAINT YORK
Glittering face paints available daily, bringing even more magic to York City Centre! Park your broom and choose your magical face from a spellbinding selection. Shimmering Dragon Skin? Unicorn Sparkles? Or does an Owl sound like a hoot?
- – DAILY 10-4PM
- – Charge applies
Parliament Street, by Visit York
